Can anything derail the Zain Train?

NCAA releases Division I wrestling coaches’ panel rankings and RPI

INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA released the second of four coaches’ panel rankings and the first reveal of the rating percentage index for the 2017-18 wrestling season. The final rankings will be one of the tools used as part of the selection process to determine the qualifiers for the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. This year’s event is March 15-17 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

Wrestlers in each weight class will be measured by winning percentage, rating percentage index (RPI) and coaches’ rankings to earn spots in their qualifying tournaments for the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The coaches’ rankings are compiled by a vote of coaches representing each qualifying tournament. For ranking purposes, coaches may only consider a wrestler that has been designated as a starter at a respective weight class. To be eligible for the rankings, wrestlers must have participated in at least five matches against Division I opponents in the weight class and have wrestled within the last 30 days.

Among the top-ranked wrestlers picked by the coaches are six former national champions with Darian Cruz of Lehigh (125 pounds), Zain Retherford of Penn State (149), Jason Nolf of Penn State (157), Vincenzo Joseph of Penn State (165), Bo Nickal of Penn State (184) and Kyle Snyder of Ohio State (heavyweight).

The additional top-ranked wrestlers at each weight class by the coaches’ rankings are: Seth Gross, South Dakota State (133 pounds); Bryce Meredith, Wyoming (141); Zahid Valencia, Arizona State (174) and Kollin Moore, Ohio State (197). All 10 top-ranked wrestlers have remained the same since the debut ranking on Jan. 18.

The RPI rankings require a minimum of 17 matches against other Division I competition to earn a ranking. The RPI factors winning percentage, opponent winning percentage and opponents’ opponent winning percentage.